Package for strand material



Oct. 22, 1968 LANE ET AL 3,406,817

PACKAGE FOR STRAND MATERIAL Filed Aug. 12, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Ezra-5.]- TIE- E INVENTORS HARRISON R. LANE DONAVO L. FEASTER BYZ/w, QMM ATTORNEYS Oct. 22, 1968 LANE ET AL 3,406,817

PACKAGE FOR STRAND MATERIAL Filed Aug. 12, 1966 I5 Sheets-Sheet 2LIE-1.37280 5O 46 8O 2 E .1; ET... 7 6O 72 82 r xx L 5 1 INVENTORSHARRISON R. LANE 76 DONAVON L. FEASTER BY z ne Qdmh M ATTORNEYS0t.22,19es A E ETAL 3,406,817

PACKAGE FOR STRAND MATERIAL Filed Au 12. 1966 s Sheets-Sheet s :E SEE-ElNVENTORS HARRISON R. LANE DONAVO L. FEASTER BY Z/MO, M

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,406,817 PACKAGE FOR STRAND MATERIALHarrison R. Lane and Donavon L. Feaster, Fort Wayne,

Ind., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Universal AmericanCorporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 12,1966, Ser. No. 572,015 8 Claims. (Cl. 206-52) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREA storing, shipping and dispensing package for strand material, such aswire, comprising an integrally molded annular container having an openend and a closed end with spaced coaxial inner and outer walls whichdiverge from the closed end to define an annular strand-receiving cavitytherewith and forming a central opening. An inwardly extending annularflange portion is formedon the inner wall adjacent the open end thereof.A handle member extends radially across and is integrally joined to theinner wall adjacent its open end, An annular cover member is providedfor removably closing the open end of the container and having a centralaperture communicating with the central opening of the container. Thecover member has snap fastening means formed on its inner peripheraledge for engaging the flange on the inner wallv This invention relatesgenerally to packages for storing, shipping and dispensing strandmaterial, such as Wire, cable, rope, twine and the like.

In the past, wire, particularly magnet wire of the type employed forforming the windings of electrical apparatus, such as motors,transformers and the like, has initially been Wound on, shipped on anddispensed from conventional reels or spools. The use of such reels notonly involved difliculty in shipment, but more particularly necessitatedthe use of complicated and costly de-reeling and braking apparatus fordispensing the wire from the reel. Such reels were also relativelyexpensive, thus dictating return of the empty reels to the wiremanufacturer for reuse, the shipping cost of returning empty reelsadding appreciably to the overall cost of the wire.

In an eiiort to overcome the difiiculty and expense involved in theshipment and dispensing of wire from conventional reels, non-returnablewire shipping and dispensing packages have been employed wherein thewire is loosely coiled in a cylindrical container about a central hub orcore secured to the bottom of the container. Such a package not onlymust have a sufiiciently low initial cost that the overall economicsdoes not require return of the empty package, but also must besufficiently strong to protect the wire during storage and shipment andto permit lifting and handling during shipment preparatory to dispensingof the wire therefrom. It is further desirable to provide for nesting ofempty packages for initial shipment and storage, thereby reducingshipping costs and storage space.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an improvedstoring, shipping and dispensing package for strand material.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved packagesuitable for storing and shipping wire in loosely coiled form and fordispensing the wire therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide a nonreturnable wirepackage which nevertheless is sufficiently strong to protect the wiretherein and to permit lifting and handling during shipment and use.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improvedstoring, shipping and dispensing package for Patented Oct. 22, 1968 icestrand material which when empty can be nested with similar emptypackages.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved storing,shipping and dispensing package for strand material in which thequantity of the material remaining in the package can readily beobserved during the filling, inventory and dispensing of the material.

The improved storing, shipping and dispensing package of the invention,in its broader aspects, comprises a bottom wall having an outerperipheral edge and an inner peripheral edge which defines a centralaperture. An inner wall is provided having top and bottom ends, theinner wall having its bottom end joined to the inner edge of the bottomwall and thus bounding a central opening extending upwardly from theaperture in the bottom wall. An outer wall is provided spaced from andsurrounding the inner wail and having top and bottom ends, the outerwall having its bottom end joined to the outer edge of the bottom walland defining therewith and with the inner wall a strand-receiving cavitywhich is open at its upper end and which surrounds the central opening.The preferred embodiment of the invention is integrally molded ofplastic material and has an annular configuration with the inner andouter walls divergently tapering upwardly from the bottom wall.

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention andthe manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the inventionitself will be best understood by reference to the following descriptionof an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view in perspective of the improved storing, shippingand dispensing package of the invention intended for use with magnetwire and showing the cover removed;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view in perspective of the package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the improved package of theinvention with the cover in place;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the package with the cover removed, takengenerally along the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the cover member of the package of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along theline 6-6 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along theline 77 of FIG. 5.

Referring now to the figures of the drawing, a specific embodiment ofthe improved package of the invention, particularly intended forstoring, shipping and dispensing magnet wire, is shown, the packagegenerally comprising an annular container 10 and an annular cover member12. The container 10 comprises an annular relatively thin bottom wall 14and relatively thin inner and outer walls 16, 18. The bottom wall 14 hasinner and outer peripheral edges 20, 22, the inner peripheral edge thusdefining a central circular aperture 24. The inner wall 16 has top andbottom ends 26, 28 and is circular in cross-section, the bottom end 28being joined to the inner edge 20 of the bottom wall 14 thus defining acentral opening which extends upwardly from the aperture 24 defined bythe inner edge 20 of the bottom wall 14. Inner wall 16 tapers inwardlyand upwardly from the bottom wall 14 toward its upper end 26, therebygiving the central opening 30 a frusto-conical configuration.

The outer wall 18 likewise has top and bottom ends 32, 34 and iscircular in cross-section, the bottom end 34 being joined to the outerperipheral edge 22 of the bottom wall 14. Outer wall 18 thus coaxiallysurrounds inner Wall 16, being radially spaced therefrom so as to definewith the bottom wall 14 an annular cavity 36 which is open at its upperend 38. The outer wall 18 tapers outwardly and upwardly from the bottomwall 14 toward its upper end 32 so that the annular cavity 36 is largerthan its upper open end 38 than at the bottom wall 14, the taper of theinner and outer walls 16, 18 being such that the radial width betweenthe outer surfaces of the inner and outer walls 16, 18 adjacent thebottom wall 14 is less than the radial width of the opening 36 and itsupper open end 38, thus permitting nesting of one empty container withinanother empty container.

As best seen in FIG. 3, wire or any other elongated strand material maybe loosely coiled in the annular cavity 36 through the open upper end38, as at 40. After storage and/or shipment of the package which hasbeen filled to the desired level with the loosely coiled wire or otherstrand material 40, the material can then be dispensed from thecontainer 10 through the open upper end 38 of the annular cavity 36.

In order to provide for the lifting of the package with the wiretherein, a handle member 42 is provided extending transversely acrossthe central opening 30 and joined to the inner surface of the inner wall16 adjacent its upper end 26. Handle member 42 is generally U-shaped incross-section, having a bottom section 44 and parallel side sections 46,48.

Annular flange portions 50, 52 are respectively formed on the inner wall16 at its upper end 26 and extend radially inwardly therefrom, annularflange portion 50 extending between the opposite extremities of the sidesection 46 of the handle member 42 and annular flange portion 52likewise extending between the opposite ex= tremities of the sidesection 48. A plurality of radially spaced-apart reinforcing ribs areformed on the inner surface of the side wall 16 tapering downwardly fromthe annular flange portions 50, 52. A plurality of radially spaced-apartribs 56 are formed on the outer surface of the outer wall 18,respectively terminating in downwardly facing shoulders 58 which arespaced upwardly from the bottom wall 14, as best seen in FIG. 3.Shoulders 58 on the outer ribs 56 serve as stops during nesting orstacking of a plurality of the containers, thereby to prevent thecontainers from being too tightly nested together.

The entire container 10 including the bottom 14 and the inner and outerwalls 16, 18 including the handle member 42, flange portions 50, 52, andthe ribs 54, 56, is preferably integrally molded from suitable plasticmaterial. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the container 10 isinjection molded of high density linear polyethylene or polystyrene.These plastic materials are sufliciently rigid and possess sufiicientstrength not only to protect the wire in the container against damageduring shipment and storage, but also to permit lifting and handling ofa container completely filled with wire.

In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the container10 may be formed of translucent or even nearly transparent plasticmaterial thereby to permit the level of wire in the container to beobserved during filling, inventory and dispensing.

The cover member 12 is likewise integrally molded from suitable plasticmaterial, such as high density linear polyethylene or polystyrene. Covermember 12 has a flat annular top portion 60 with annular downwardlyextending inner and outer flange portions 62, 64 respectively formed onits inner and outer peripheral edges. The downwardly extending annularflange portions 62, 64 have bottom edges which respectively engageflange portions 50, 52 and the upper end 32 of the outer wall 18. Theouter flange 64 has a depending lip 66 which tightly fits over the upperend 32 of the outer wall 18. It will be observed that the inner flangeportion 62 defines a central aperture 68 coaxial and communicating withthe central opening 30 of the container 10. A plurality of radiallyspaced-apart reinforcing ribs 70 extend radially between the inner andouter flange portions 62, 64.

In order to removably secure the cover member 12 to the container 10, aplurality of clamping members 72 are integrally formed on the flangeportion 62 and respectively have portions 74 depending therefrom.Depending portions 74 respectively have outwardly facing latchingportions 76 formed thereon terminating in shoulders 78 which definenotches for engaging the inner peripheral edges of the flange portions50, 52. It will thus be seen that when the cover member 12 is assembleddownwardly onto the upper end of the container 10, the latching portions76 of the clamping members 72 will initially be cammed outwardly by theflange portions 50, 52 as the cover members move downwardly, and willthen resiliently engage the inner peripheral edges of the flangeportions 50, 52 in snap-on relationship. It will be observed that theclamping members 72 are disposed between the reinforcing ribs 70 of thecover member 12.

It will be readily seen that flanges 50, 52 and the cooperating clampingmembers 72 on the cover member 12 may be located on the outerperipheries of outer wall 18 and cover member 12, respectively, ratherthan on the inner peripheries, as shown; in larger sizes, it may bedesirable to provide flanges and clamping members on both the inner andouter peripheries.

In order to provide for removal of the cover member 12 from thecontainer 10, slots 82 are formed in the cover member communicating withthe latching portions 76, as best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7. Slots 82 may beemployed for the insertion of a tool, such as a screwdriver, manually todeflect clamping members 72 so as to disengage the flange portions 50,52. A part-annular stacking retainer 80 is formed on the upper surface60' of cover member 12 adjacent and radially outward from each of theclamping members 72, as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, for use in storing, shippingand dispensing magnet wire, container 10 was injection molded of rigid,translucent polyethylene plastic material and had an overall outsidediameter at the top of 11% inches, an outside diameter of the inner wall16 at its top end 26 of 7 inches, an overall height of 13 inches, and awall thickness of ap roximately .100 inch, the inner and outer walls 16,18 being respectively tapered upwardly by 1.5". In a specificembodiment, flanges, 50, 52 define an inside diameter of 6% inches andhad a thickness of inch, the reinforcing ribs 54 extending downwardlyfrom the upper end of container 10 by 4 /2 inches and the shoulders 58on the ribs 56 being disposed downwardly from the upper end by 5 inches.Handle 42 at its center had a width of inch and a height of /2 inch. Inthis specific embodiment, cover member 12 was injection molded ofsemi-rigid polyethylene plastic material and had an overall outsidediameter of 11.586 inches and with the lip 66 having an inside diameterof l1 inches, cover member 12 having a general wall thickness ofapproximately .100 inch. In this specific embodiment, cover member 12had an overall height of W inch from the bottom edge of ribs 66 to thetop surface 60, lip 66 having a height of inch, and the inner flange 62defined an inside diameter of 6 inches. In this embodiment, the clampingmem bers 72 had an overall height of one (1) inch.

It will now be readily apparent that the improved storing, shipping anddispensing package of the invention is lighter, cleaner and lessexpensive than prior packages, thus permitting its employment as anon-returnable package.

Furthermore, molding the package from plastic material renders itimpervious and free from the corrosive effects of water and otherliquids, thus protecting the wire therein, whereas prior paper and metalpackages are subject to such hazards. In addition, the molded plasticpackage of the invention will withstand severe impacts and other roughusage, whereas prior metal packages may be permanently dented bydropping, etc. and the wire there- 1n consequently damaged, and priorpaper packages are subject to puncture and moisture and likewise resultin damage to the wire.

It will be observed that the lifting handle is positioned inside thecontainer, thus eliminating the conventional external bail employed forlifting prior packages, the pro trusion of a bail requiring that priorpackages be oriented on a pallet with the bails extending toward thecenter of the pallet. It will further be seen that the handle isprotected during shipment, thus eliminating damage, and particularlythat it provides no obstruction during the filling and dispensingoperations, i.e. there is no bail which must be positioned out of theway of winding machinery. It will also be readily apparent that inlarger sizes, the integrally molded handle may be eliminated and aseparate, removable handle employed, or the package may be lifted byexpandable tong arrangements engaging the inner wall.

It will be readily seen that a sleeve for filling the container orconventional cone devices used for de-reeling can readily be attached tothe upper end of the container, the same filling and de-reeling deviceswhich have heretofore been employed with prior packages being usablewith the package of this invention without modification. Molding of thecontainer 10 from translucent plastic material permits observation ofthe level of the wire or other strand material remaining in thecontainer not only during filling and inventory, but also during thede-reeling operation, an extremely helpful feature to the operator. Itwill finally be observed that empty containers can be nested forshipment and storage, thus requiring considerably less space, and thatcompletely filled containers can be stacked one upon the other, theinside diameter of inner wall 16 at its bottom end 28 being greater thanthe outside diameter of the retainers 80, retainers 80 thus, serving ascentering or locating devices when one container is stacked uponanother.

While the package of the invention has been illustrated and described asbeing integrally molded of plastic material and annular inconfiguration, it will be readily understood that other materials, suchas metal may be employed, that it may be fabricated rather thanintegrally formed, and that it need not be circular in cross-section,i.e. it may be hexagonal, octagonal, or any other geometricconfiguration. Further, while the preferred embodiment is formed oftranslucent or transparent material to permit viewing the contents, thepackage of the invention may be formed of opaque material. Finally,while a package for wire has been described, it will be readily apparentthat it is equally usable with other strand-like materials such ascable, chain, rope, twine and the like.

While there have been described above the principles of this inventionin connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understoodthat this description is made only by way of example and not as alimitation to the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A storing, shipping and dispensing package for strand materialcomprising a bottom wall having an outer peripheral edge and an innerperipheral edge defining a central aperture; an inner wall having topand bottom ends, said inner wall having said bottom end thereof joinedto said inner edge of said bottom wall and bounding a central spaceextending upwardly from said aperture; an outer wall spaced from andsurrounding said inner wall and having top and bottom ends, said outerwall having said bottom end thereof joined to said outer edge of saidbottom wall and defining therewith and with said inner wall astrand-receiving cavity open at said top ends of said inner and outerwalls and surrounding said central space, a handle member joined to saidinner wall adjacent said top end thereof and extending transverselyacross said central space, said handle being within said central space.i

2. The package of claim 1 further comprising means for reinforcing saidouter and inner walls adjacent to said top ends thereof, respectively.

3. The package of claim 2 wherein said top end of said inner wall has aninwardly extending flange formed thereon; and further comprising a covermember for closing the open end of said cavity, said cover member havingan inner peripheral edge defining a central aperture communicating withsaid central space, said cover member having means on said inner edgefor removably attaching the same to said flange.

4. The package of claim 2 wherein said inner wall tapers inwardly andupwardly and said outer wall tapers outwardly and upwardly from saidbottom wall whereby said cavity at the open end thereof is larger thanat said bottom wall.

5. A storing, shipping and dispensing package for strand materialcomprising a bottom wall having an outer peripheral edge and an innerperipheral edge defining a central aperture; an inner wall having topand bottom ends, said inner wall having said bottom end thereof joinedto said inner edge of said bottom wall and bounding a central spaceextending upwardly from said aperture; and an outer wall spaced from andsurrounding said inner wall and having top and bottom ends, said outerwall having said bottom end thereof joined to said outer edge of saidbottom wall and defining therewith and with said inner wall astrand-receiving cavity open at said top ends of said inner and outerwalls and surrounding said central space; said inner wall having anannular flange portion formed thereon at its top end thereof andextending radially inwardly therefrom, said inner wall having aplurality of circumferentially spaced-apart reinforcing ribs formed onits inner surface extending into said central space and downwardly fromsaid flange portion, said outer wall having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced apart ribs formed on its outer surfaceextending radially outwardly thereof and downwardly from said top endthereof.

6. A storing, shipping and dispensing package for strand materialcomprising a bottom wall having an outer peripheral edge and an innerperipheral edge defining a central aperture; an inner wall having topand bottom ends, said inner wall having said bottom end thereof joinedto said inner edge of said bottom wall and bounding a central spaceextending upwardly from said aperture; an outer wall spaced from andsurrounding said inner wall and having top and bottom ends, said outerwall having said bottom end thereof joined to said outer edge of saidbottom wall and defining therewith and with said inner wall astrand-receiving cavity open at said top ends of said inner and outerwalls and surrounding said central space; said bottom wall beingrelatively thinwalled and annular, said inner and outer Wall beingrespectively relatively thin-walled and circular in cross-section andsaid cavity being annular, said inner wall tapering inwardly andupwardly and said outer wall tapering outwardly and upwardly wherebysaid cavity at the open end thereof is larger than at said bottom wallwhereby said container may be nested with a similar container, saidinner wall having an annular flange portion formed thereon adjacent saidtop end thereof extending radially inwardly therefrom; and a relativelythin-walled annular cover member formed of molded plastic material forremovably closing said open end of said cavity, said cover member havinga plurality of circumferentially spacedapart members formed on its inneredge for engaging said flange portion.

7. The package of claim 6 wherein said cover member has inner and outerdownwardly facing flange portions which respectively engage said innerwall flange portion and said top end of said outer wall, said membersrespectively depending from said inner flange portion, each of saidmembers having a latching portion for resiliently engaging said innerwall fiange portion in snap-on relationship.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1938 Jackson 22097 1/1958 Glazer 220-23.6

Coltrnan 150--0.5

Hubbard 206-52 Widmont 206-52 Misch. Retherford.

WILLIAM T. DIXSON, 111., Primary Examiner.

